Premier Badminton League postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

The sixth edition of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) has been postponed to next year, keeping in mind the health and safety of the players.

Published : Nov 27, 2020 15:56 IST , New Delhi

The jubilant Bengaluru Raptors team which retained the Premier Badminton League title, in the fifth edition at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad in February 2020.
The jubilant Bengaluru Raptors team which retained the Premier Badminton League title, in the fifth edition at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad in February 2020.
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The jubilant Bengaluru Raptors team which retained the Premier Badminton League title, in the fifth edition at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad in February 2020.

The sixth-season of the Premier Badminton League (PBL), scheduled to be held during the December-January window, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prasad Mangipudi, Managing Director of Sportzlive, which is the official host of the league over the years, confirmed the development.

“Well, health and safety of all is of paramount importance, after carefully considering all guidelines, protocols and commitments and discussions with the BAI, we have decided to look for possible dates only next year,” Prasad said.

READ: How COVID-19 will affect Premier Badminton League

“We have been trying our best to see that the PBL doesn’t suffer any break. But, because of the pandemic, we are left with no option but to postpone and look for a possible window in June next year,” Prasad informed Sportstar on Friday.

The second wave of the pandemic which is hitting Delhi and other major cities hard is one of the main reasons behind the decision.

READ: India Open: BAI requests ministry to relax quarantine norms for foreign players

“And, also we have written to quite a few big players seeking their confirmation to play in view of the Asian Badminton-legs being held around the same time. But, there were no confirmations as the players were not really sure about the international schedule and also not keen because of the crisis,” Prasad said.

“Ideally, I would love to have the PBL in June well before the Olympics. For, even if we were to have a chance to host it after the Olympics next year, it will be too close to the next season’s window which may not be practical,” he explained.

“We have informed the Badminton Association of India about the difficulties in going ahead with the PBL,” he said.

“However, there are plans to introduce grassroots as well as other badminton activities in order to bring back the badminton actions ahead of the next season,” he concluded.

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